Jordan Walsh is one of the newest and youngest members of the Boston Celtics, having been drafted in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. He is a 6-foot-7 forward with a massive 7-foot-3 wingspan, which he uses to wreak havoc on the defensive end. He was also a pleasant surprise offensively during July’s Summer League session in Las Vegas, where he was Boston’s leading scorer at 16.0 points per game while shooting 40.7 percent from 3-point range.
But apart from his basketball skills, many fans are curious about his appearance. Walsh is bald and has no eyebrows or facial hair. Some might wonder if he is white, black, or mixed race. The answer is not as simple as it seems.
Walsh has alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss
The reason why Walsh looks different from most NBA players is that he has alopecia, a condition that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack hair follicles and cause hair loss. According to the National Institutes of Health, alopecia can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. It can affect any part of the body, including the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, and other areas.
Walsh was diagnosed with alopecia when he was six years old. He said he was bullied and teased by other kids because of his baldness. He tried to hide his condition by wearing hats and bandanas, but he eventually learned to embrace it and use it as motivation.
“I just had to accept it and be confident in myself,” Walsh said in an interview with ESPN. “I realized that I’m not defined by my hair or lack thereof. I’m defined by my character and my actions.”
Walsh is a mentor and an advocate for people with alopecia
Walsh has dedicated much of his free time to raising awareness about alopecia and becoming a mentor to children dealing with the autoimmune disease. He said he wants to inspire others who have alopecia to be confident and proud of who they are.
“I want to show them that they’re not alone, that they’re beautiful, that they’re strong,” Walsh said. “I want to give them hope and encouragement.”
Walsh is not the only athlete with alopecia. Other examples include former NBA forward Charlie Villanueva, Cleveland Browns quarterback Joshua Dobbs, and former NFL Pro Bowl linebacker Ryan Shazier. All of them have used their platforms to spread awareness and support for people with alopecia.
Walsh is African American
As for his ethnicity, Walsh is African American. He was born in Dallas, Texas on March 3, 2004. He grew up in DeSoto, Texas, the hometown of many accomplished NFL players such as Hall-of-Famer Tim Brown, former New England Patriot Ellis Hobbs, current Patriot Jalen Mills, and eight-time Pro Bowler Von Miller.
Walsh was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the high school class of 2022. He was ranked 11 by ESPN, 19 by 247Sports, and 24 by Rivals. ESPN also ranked him as the No. 1 player from Texas and the No. 4 small forward in the nation.
He played college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks, where he averaged 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game in his lone season. He helped Arkansas reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1995.
He shares a birthday with Jayson Tatum, his new teammate on the Celtics. They were both born on March 3, but six years apart. They are both just 19 years old.
Conclusion
Jordan Walsh is a talented and promising NBA rookie who has overcome many challenges in his life. He has alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss, but he does not let it define him or stop him from pursuing his dreams. He is a mentor and an advocate for people with alopecia, and he is proud of his African American heritage.
He is not white, black, or mixed race. He is Jordan Walsh. And he is ready to make his mark in the NBA.